Journey with Christina

We did it! The Amazon is approximately 3,900 miles, we traveled 90% of it by boat from Belem, Brazil to Iquitos, Peru using a combination of slow and speed boats taking a total of 8-9 days. Basically across the United States. There is a small section left that I will have to save for later if I still want Jon to stick around, as he puts it, to be my mule. I am also happy that we were able to discover areas that we would not normally be able to and glimpse a little of what Amazon life is like.

As far as packing goes we are both grateful we started out with only a 50-liter pack. Most travelers have larger packs and I wonder how they can do it as I struggle with mine, which is 30 pounds. We were able to send home the hammocks we purchased and took the opportunity to send two books we were finished with as well as they binoculars and 4 plugs we did not need home with it. Since starting we have lost my retainer case, filtered water-bottle, baseball hat, my beloved face-spray, my sunglasses and Jon’s sun hat (my glasses and Jon’s hat replaced). It’s hard to keep track of everything when you are constantly moving.

We have basically used everything else in our packs with the exception of my colder weather cloths and our raincoats and Jon’s rain pants. Jon has actually used all of his clothing items except for the rain pants. Most useful items have been the collapsible water bottles, headlamps, travel towel and travel sheets while on the boat. We have also used our convertible coats to both wear and use as a pillow. The shoe I have worn practically every day has been my trusty Birkenstocks!

We are also excited to report that we stayed almost right on budget. For our 28 days in the Amazon, including all accommodations, transportation, tours, food, etc., we spent approximately $3,000 for the both of us, which is slightly over our $100 a day budget. We used points for our flights here so the flight from Boston to Belem, Brazil only cost us $15 each. We did send those godforsaken hammocks home at Jon’s insistence (I think he intends to make me sleep in it at least once a month forever) which cost $85 so technically we are even closer to budget.

Food and Drinks Summary:

• The fresh fruit juices are abundant and amazing!!
• In Brazil they have a soda called Guarana, which is a plant with some of the highest concentration of caffeine that I fell in love with. In Peru, they have Inca Cola, which tastes just like bubble gum.
• Plantains are served with everything and in everything. My favorites were on burger, made into chips and in a cheese and plantain sandwich.
• In the Brazil part of the Amazon they love Tapioca which they make into a crepe-like pancake and put all kinds of savory and sweet fillings. They also serve manioc (a lot of it) with every meal and we were told that some people won’t even eat a meal without it.
• In Brazil they served rice and spaghetti with every meal. In Peru it changed to rice and potato.

Interesting tidbits:

• Most of the bathrooms and kitchen sinks do not have hot water. It is amazing how quickly you get used to cold water which is not bad when it is extremely hot. The arrangement of the sink, shower and toilet is basically put in a bathroom how it will fit. We had one bathroom where the toilet backed up to the shower and not the wall.
• The napkins in the Brazil part of the Amazon are extremely tiny and had the consistency of wax paper. Not good if you are a slob like me.
• Brazilians love music, the louder the better!
• My daughters friend from Bolivia warned me that I would be out of place with what was referred to as my “grandma” style bathing suit bottom and she was right! Everyone from teens to women in their later years wear a Brazilian cut. Jon has now taken to calling my bottoms a “diaper” and has even pointed out bathing suits he thought I might like on display in store windows.
• You can get prescriptions here directly from a pharmacy at a fraction of the cost. We were able to get an antibiotic for $3 and cough syrup with codeine for $9. Interesting that we pay way more than that for prescriptions even with health insurance.
• The locals have been very helpful even with the language difference!

We have met travelers from all over the world who are doing the same thing as us. Some longer, some shorter. It has been truly inspiring to see how many people have broken off from the norm to fulfill their desire to explore and discover but most importantly live their dream.